Treatment. 261 



there is immediate danger of death. In some cases puncture of 

 the rumen, particularly if performed l)y laymen, may cause a 

 more or less extensive peritonitis or the adhesion of the rumen 

 to the abdominal wall, which will subsequently endanger the 

 health of the animal, more or less. 



Puncture of the rumen is performed with a loiiy troehar held in the closed 

 hand; it is jnished (contained in its protecting tube) into the most prominent 

 point of the left flank or into the center of a line which connects the external 

 angle of the ileum with the middle portion of the last rib. An incision into the 

 skin may have been made previously. The point of the trochar is directed towards 

 the right elbow. After penetration the stiletto is withdrawn and it or a thin 

 rod is used to remove particles of food which may collect in the tube of the trochar. 

 In order to prevent too sudden congestion of the abdominal vessels or rupture of 

 vessels, or anemia of the brain, it is advisable to let the gases escape gradually. 

 The tube of the trochar should then be closed with a cork and left in place for 

 several hours, safely secured by a bandage wound around the rump of the animal. 



In an emergency, puncture of the rumen may be ])erformed with a strong 

 pointed knife. The latter, first carefully cleaned, is held with its blade towards 

 the front and is pushed 8 to 10 cm. deep into the rumen; it is then rotated at 

 a right angle in order to produce a gaping wound. 



The punctured wound usually heals rapidly, Init a woun<l which has been made 

 with the knife should be closed by two or three sutures. 



The internal administration of drugs plays a very subordi- 

 nate role in the treatment of primary meteorism and even so- 

 called neutralizing agents (ammonia, Ihne water, potash) will 

 not materially diminish the amount of gases contained in the 

 rumen. However, the subcutaneous injection of medicines 

 which stimulate the movements of the rumen may in some cases 

 be indicated (see page 254). A moderately advantageous effect 

 might also be expected from agencies liable to inhibit fermenta- 

 tion. Among these may be mentioned subsulphate of sodium 

 (100.0-200.0 or 25-30 gm.), chlorate of potash (50.0-60.0 or 5-10 

 gm.), resorcin (15.0-20.0 or 5-8.0 gm.), hydrochloric acid (one ta- 

 blespoonful to a quart of water) or lime water (1-2 or 14 oi" V2 

 quart). Tar preparations must be avoided because they impart 

 a disagreeable taste to the meat and would make it unpalatable 

 in case slaughtering of the animal becomes necessary. The 

 medicines mentioned above are to be given in moderate dilu- 

 tions ; however, in bloating of a high degree their administration 

 meets with considerable difficulty, because the high pressure 

 present in the rumen prevents deglutition and the restlessness 

 of the patients causes danger of aspiration. The medicines may 

 also be introduced through the esophageal sound or, after punc- 

 ture of the rumen, through the tube of the trochar. 



Lungwitz found in a comparative investigation of socalled absor- 

 bents 109? solution of ])nrned magnesia most effective, next came lime 

 water, spirits of ammonia (2%) and soapwater (2%) ; the last two also 

 cause belching. 



After the subsidence of acute symptoms, the animals should 

 be subjected for several days to a strict diet, so tliat all easily 

 fermenting material is removed from the ruinen. 



